[Tilster]

Has anyone replaced coil springs for 70 GTO Conv. or similar lately?
I would like to know who's product works the best, (Perf. years-Ames-Year One)?
I've just purchased literature from Perf. Years to identify my stock part #'s They should arrive soon!

This is what I have
70 GTO Conv.,400YS, TH-400, ac, db, no ride and handling package listed on invoice from PHS.
I'am not aware of heavy load vs. firm ride specs.

Front LH-400876 RH-?
Rear LH-? RH-?

Tilster

[Tilster]

Has anyone replaced coil springs for 70 GTO Conv. or similar lately?
I would like to know who's product works the best, (Perf. years-Ames-Year One)?
I've just purchased literature from Perf. Years to identify my stock part #'s They should arrive soon!

This is what I have
70 GTO Conv.,400YS, TH-400, ac, db, no ride and handling package listed on invoice from PHS.
I'am not aware of heavy load vs. firm ride specs.

Front LH-400876 RH-?
Rear LH-? RH-?

Tilster

[mike nixon]

i've always used moog with good sucess. springs should be replaced in matched pairs due to the possibility of a difference in rates. the gm springs are packaged individually.
a/c and conv't springs will be stiffer due to the extra weight. conv't with a/c being the stiffest.
one other thing if you want to raise the rear 1-2" use lemans wagon springs.
mike

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[This message has been edited by mike nixon (edited 06-04-2000).]

[Tilster]

Mike,

Thanks. I was not aware GM's springs were individual, as opposed to being matched. Makes sense so as to prevent the vehicle from possibly sitting lower on one side.

I was wondering if the new springs would make the back sit higher than stock. But it would be nice to have a little extra lift in the rear.

Tilster

[mike nixon]

tilster, the new springs [stock] should return the car to the origional proper curb hieght. the wagon springs probably won't gain you a full 2" due to the ragtops extra wieght in the rear. mike

[Tilster]

Mike,

Ya, I going to keep it stock. Just gotta find a good source for parts on this job.

Went looking around at the junk yard today. Just wanted to mess with the coil springs on a pontiac to see what I'm in for. Found a 72 LeMans, of course it was missing the front suspension. Oh well, got a good LH wheel molding and various odds and ends.

I did find a 76 or 78 Grand Prix with complete HEI intact. Curious if it would fit my 70 GTO. Didn't get it but might head back if it's worth it.

I'll also check to see what my local classic car suspension shop would charge for complete front/rear suspension replacement.

Mark

[This message has been edited by Tilster (edited 06-06-2000).]

[mike nixon]

do the rear yourself. with a floor jack ,a pair of jack stands and an impact it'll take about 15 minutes. jack the rear of the car up and take bottom of the shocks loose, then let the rear diff down until the springs are free pull one spring out at a time and then install the new one. you may have to pry each side down when installing the new spring, but it's really no big deal.
the front are a pain in the a$$. you'll need a spring compressor to do them. if you've never done them you might be better off taking it somewhere. the car'll need aligned anyway.
the procedure is as follows. raise front of car and support. remove front wheels. remove front shocks. remove brake caliper and support it. don't let it hang by the hose. place floor jack under lower control arm with pressure on arm. loosen lower balljoint and split from spindle. SLOWLY let the jack down. while doing this do not position yourself in line with the spring as it could pop out of the seat and injure you. remove the spring from the lower seat. clean out the lower spring seat [gravel ,old grease ect]. now is the time to replace any worn bushings or ball joints so look them over carefully. compress the new spring. be very careful during this step. if the spring gets loose it can cause serious harm to you ,the car or any thing else in its way. reinstall spring making sure the top is in the upper seat and the rubber insulator is in place. position the bottom of the spring with the end in the divot in the lower spring seat.[you'll see it.] make sure the spring is in with the top up. reconnect the spindle to the ball joint and tighten. remove the compressor and recheck the springs position in the upper seat. reinstall the brakes wheels ect.
if you do this yourself i would recommend driving the car for a couple hundred miles to let the springs settle in before aligning.
if you decide to replace the control arm bushings then replace them with polyurethene units. they last longer and drive 200% better then the rubber ones. good luck, mike

[mike nixon]

i'm not sure if the 301's dist. length is the same as the other blocks or not. if it is then the unit will work. if you convert , make sure you run a full 12 volt power source to the dist. feed . mike

[Ken K]

If you want a smoking deal on coil springs go to carparts.com. Moog makes a catalog that has all of the spring heights and part numbers. Not all of the part numbers are listed in carparts.com but if you know what fits you can get a very good deal, you can pick between Moog and TRW. I bought some SS front and rear springs for a El Camino and paid about $70.00 for both sets after the 25% discount and the fronts came in a box that said performance coil springs matched set.

[Tilster]

Thanks Guys,

Moog sounds good. I'm going to browse the site. I could do the rear springs, but the front may take time. This is my commuter ( since my pulsar was totaled on freeway) and I want to rebuild the front suspension.

It seems that I tackle a simple job but want to go all out and mess with everything.
Mark

[mike nixon]

nothing wrong with that if you have a spare car. mike

[Ken K]

The rear coil springs for a 70 GTO are listed in carparts.com for about $40.00. You may have trouble finding them, when you put in the type of vehicle it will say no replacement parts avalable. Go to the upper left hand column and punch in replacement and all the parts for a 70 GTO will come up.

[Tilster]

Thanks Ken,

I check it out and think I'll need to talk to someone personally before I order. I get better comments on moog so far.

Tilster

[Tilster]

Thanks Ken,

I checked it out and think I'll need to talk to someone personally before I order. I got better comments on moog so far.

Tilster

[Mook]

"do the rear yourself. with a floor jack ,a pair of jack stands and an impact it'll take about 15 minutes. jack the rear of the car up and take bottom of the shocks loose, then let the rear diff down until the springs are free pull one spring out at a time and then install the new one. you may have to pry each side down when installing the new spring, but it's really no big deal."


Hey Mike I tried to do the rear on my 69 GTO, I followed your directions but the old springs seems to be so tall that they will not come loose. Do you think I should try to get an coil spring compressor? Thanks!

[Ken K]

This is an old thread. Carparts.com was bought out by JC Whitney. I think the smoking deals went with them. I still have the invoice for those springs, I don't think I will find a deal like that again. The best deal I could find recently on springs was $135.00 for both front and rear springs.